(rōt'ă-vī‵rŭs )

[L. rota, wheel + virus]

Any of the viruses of the genus Rotavirus in the family Reoviridae that worldwide are the most common cause of dehydrating diarrhea in children. In the U.S. during the peak season (October through May), these viruses account for one third of all hospitalizations for diarrhea in children under five. Five hundred or so rotavirus-associated deaths are reported annually, most in children under two. The incubation period of the disease is short (1 to 3 days), and the transmission is the fecal-oral route. The first effective vaccine was withdrawn when its use in infants was associated with intussusception. Two vaccines are available to prevent rotavirus infection: RotaTeq and Rotarix.

SEE: Reoviridae.